Taylor Swift Reveals Emotional Connection to New Toy Story 5 Song

Taylor Swift wrote and recorded the original song I Knew It, I Knew You for the upcoming film Toy Story 5, according to a June 12 ABC 20/20 special. Swift collaborated with Jack Antonoff on the track, marking the first time a songwriter other than Randy Newman has contributed to the franchise’s music.

Swift, 36, discussed her involvement in the project during the 20/20 special titled Toy Story: 30 Years and Beyond. She wrote the song to support a new backstory for the character Jessie, the cowgirl figurine voiced by Joan Cusack.

The singer identified a specific lyric that resonated with her emotionally. For Jessie, I feel like the line, ‘I watched you drive around the bend for what I thought would be the last time I saw my friend,’ that hits me really hard because that movie just broke my heart, Swift said during the broadcast. She added that she wanted to provide the character with a happy moment.

Toy Story 5 is scheduled to arrive in theaters on June 19.

How was Taylor Swift’s involvement kept secret?

Tom Hanks, 69, and Tim Allen, 73, who voice Woody and Buzz Lightyear, described the high level of secrecy surrounding Swift’s contribution. Hanks stated that producers brought the actors into a room and told them to shut the door before revealing the news.

Allen told the 20/20 special that the atmosphere was so secretive he initially thought the producers were going to announce that aliens are real.

What is the significance of the collaboration with Randy Newman?

Randy Newman, 82, has composed the music for the Toy Story franchise since its inception. Swift expressed gratitude for receiving Newman’s blessing to enter the musical world of the films.

In a preview for the 20/20 interview, Swift said she felt wonderful knowing she was the first songwriter allowed to write for the series outside of Newman. She described herself as dazzled by the fifth installment, calling it her favorite movie in the franchise.

The two musicians performed a duet of Newman’s You’ve Got a Friend in Me at the Los Angeles premiere on June 9. During the same screening, the 14-time Grammy winner performed I Knew It, I Knew You for the first time.

Why did Taylor Swift write for Toy Story 5?

Swift announced the single via Instagram on June 1, stating she had dreamed of writing for the characters since she was five years old. She noted that she wrote the song immediately after seeing an early screening of the film.

In a follow-up Instagram post on June 5, Swift described the process as both a musical departure and coming home. She credited director Andrew Stanton for imagining her for the role and praised Newman for the sonic tapestry he created for the series.

Swift clarified that she and Jack Antonoff wrote the track with adoration for characters who helped them learn lessons during their childhoods.